Started My ECJ5 Build

Well had the Jeep out on the road today, picked up plates for it on Saturday. It's been a while in such a short wheelbase rig, forgot about the ride, but it was fun. I do need to replace the clutch, too much slip, and I need to replace the donut gasket on the exhaust manifold, too much noise.

 

Awesome Jeep. Congratulations on a job well done!

 

There are always a few things to iron out once you get your rig back on the road. Having to do a clutch kinda sucks, but not too bad.

 

Posi, yeah I agree, going from a clean frame to a running, issue free vehicle take a bit. I'll pick up a clutch kit tonight, and have it done in a couple of days.

 

Ordered kit, be in tomorrow, taking the night off.

 

Clutch is in, works well. Took it out a few times to drive it. Handful of little things to work on. Need to re-do the gas pedal, not getting full range of movement and full pull on accelerator cable. Ordered from drive slugs for the D44, the selectable on the left side seems to want to disengage, even with the set screw in place. That provides for a bit of a jerky ride while shifting. Need to re-work the lower radiator hose, the multi piece design is no good.


Not disappointed at all, was fun to get it on the road. These little things were bound to pop up at some point, could not have expected all of this to work without fine tuning. I may look at dyno matting the hard top though, rather tinny sounding.

 

I had issues with the driver side locking hub on the rear axle not wanting to stay engaged. In fact I destroyed two hubs on one trip to Barret Lake. It was always only the drivers side. I was told, but I can't confirm this is true, that it can be caused by a bent axle tube combined with a locker. On the same trip that I broke the two hubs I also destroyed a Lock Right. Probably when the hub let go the built up forces took out the Lock Right. I put in a Detroit and drive flanges and never had another problem with it. When you take out the hub to put in the slug. check out the wave spring in the locking hub. My were mashed on that side and that's what let the hub dis-engage.

 

Got the drive lugs in for the rear, HUGE difference, constant axle engagement, no hirky jerky, nice and predictable.
Replace the lower radiator hose, took it for another test drive, runs smooth, and temp holds steady. Kinda fun.....
I got the drive flanges from RPM Off Road, nice PBB discount, good service, and got delivered from TN in 2 days. Quality pieces, simple design, don't think I'll be breaking those pieces.

 

The Summit heater puts out lots of nice warmth.

 

Its been a couple of months. I've had the Jeep out on the road a bit. Top rattles. But she runs pretty well with the fuel injected motor. I need to re-mount the gas pedal, I have limited travel the way its set up now. I need to do a wheel house notch, as I am far too close to the pedals.

I wired up the Bellview, and took it over to my nephew's house to pull out some old bushes, winch worked great. Although not have power out on the winch is a pain.

Definite power notice with the 2.5 as compared to the original motor. The five speed and hydro clutch are smooth.

The drive flanges on the rear make a difference, when one of your rear lockouts has a tendency to unlock. A lot more wheel spin...

I still have a few things to button up, the temp gauge is still not working, I think its the connector to the sensor on the thermostat housing.


I'm playing with the idea of picking up a real truck and trading in the Commander. Right now, there are five Jeeps in the driveway, and I kinda like that.

 

Sounds like you are getting it dialed in. I still have a couple of minor electrical issues that I haven't felt like crawling under the dash to straighten out.

 

More dialing and more detail. Finally ended up making a bracket for the gas pedal, so I had full movement there. Ended up doing a wheel house notch for the drivers side, my legs were so cramped in, it was a pain to manipulate the pedals. Also ended up taking the hard top off. Made a filler piece to cover the rest of the holes in the floor board. Need to cut down my corner guards and decide what to do with my tail lights. With the stock CJ tire carrier, the later CJ7/Wrangler tail lights get in the way swinging the carrier open....

Will post pics soon.

 

Hey, back from the dead.Glad to hear you are still at it. Rubicon next year?

 

I'm hoping, My tow vehicle changed.... Probably flat tow it.

It is so much better, not having my legs cramped in there, easier to use the pedals and shifter. With the drive flanges on the rear axle now instead of lockouts it makers the Detroit in the rear more preditable, that and the driving position, its actually nice to drive it now.

 

I hear ya. My Detroit hated my lockouts on the rear axle. I destroyed 3 of them before I went to drive slugs. I did the wheelhouse notch myself. Much better. The average height of a man when they designed the Jeep must have been about 5'6".

 

I'm only 5' 3", but with the Wrangler pedals, they stick out quite far, my little stubby legs were cramped, and the shifter rubbed my right leg. I'm half tempted to look for a tilt column.....

I remember the little M151 1/4 ton Mutts, they had two seating positions, felt good to me, but the tall guys had a heck of a time.

 

I picked up some fenders, hood and a grill from a member here. I finally put on the steel fenders and rid myself of the fiberglass fenders. Now I am thinking to clear coat the fenders and "patina" the rest of the jeep......

It'll take a couple of beers to convince me....

 

Yet another success story.

 

OK, so after a handful of Black Jack Porters, I ended up with this:

(note sans lid)